Lambert Charter

The Lambert Charter was a document signed by France in 1858 that added the Merina Dynasty of Madagascar to their sphere of influence. Named for French ambassador Joseph-Francois Lambert, the charter immediately preceded the declaration of an alliance between France and Madagascar.

History
The Lambert Charter was a document used by France to justice its many attempts at making inlands into, and eventually annex it, the independent country and island of Madagascar. The document was signed by crown prince Radama II, who had grown up under the influence of French expatriates on Madagascar, and purported to give France the right to extract minerals and other natural resources from the country, in return for a 10% royalty payable to the Royal House of Madagascar.

The treaty effectively added Madagascar to France's sphere of influence, and shortly after, Madagascar agreed to an alliance with France. On Christmas Day of 1860, France annexed the whole island, overthrowing the Merina Dynasty.